President
Donald Trump
quelled some consternation among Republicans with his choice of Judge
Neil Gorsuch
to fill a Supreme Court vacancy, answering the GOP’s call for a nominee with solid credentials and a conservative record.

In recent days, Mr. Trump faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers over an executive order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries due to concerns about possible terrorist attacks, drawing fire for both the substance of the action and the way it was rolled out.

Lawmakers said the White House caused unnecessary disruption and hardship by imposing the travel ban without adequate consultation with Congress and government agencies.

Just as criticism was mounting, Mr. Trump moved up his selection of a high-court nominee by two days, saying he would unveil his pick on prime-time television. Despite worries about the potential for a reality-show-style spectacle, Mr. Trump mollified many Republicans with his selection of Mr. Gorsuch and his measured handling of Tuesday’s presentation at the White House. The president delivered a speech in the East Room that stayed on point before ceding the stage to the newly minted nominee.

Sen.
Lindsey Graham
(R., S.C.), who strongly criticized Mr. Trump’s immigration order, attended the announcement. “It was a good rollout, unlike the executive order. That was not a good rollout,” he said.

“President Trump did a great thing in nominating this kind of a guy,” said Sen.
Ben Sasse
(R., Neb.), who during the presidential campaign was outspoken in opposition to Mr. Trump. “This is the kind of individual the founders envisioned on the Supreme Court.”

Embracing Mr. Trump’s candidacy wasn’t easy for some Republicans. He was unorthodox, coming from the business and entertainment world, and rattled the political establishment with attacks on fellow Republicans. Though wary, they backed Mr. Trump, hoping he would take seriously the makeup of the Supreme Court and pick someone with a conservative judicial philosophy.

They believe Mr. Trump delivered in choosing Mr. Gorsuch. Sen.
Jeff Flake
(R., Ariz.) said the announcement was handled well because White House counsel
Don McGahn
reached out in recent weeks to solicit congressional input. The choice of Mr. Gorsuch “will have unified support among Republicans,” he said. “There’s nothing not to like.”

Rep.
Steve Scalise
(R., La.) said it was clear to Republicans how seriously Mr. Trump was taking the process. When he heard who Mr. Trump had selected, “It was a Eureka moment.”

It is too early to say that Mr. Trump’s selection has unified the party behind his agenda and goals. As of late Wednesday, two Republican senators,
Susan Collins
of Maine and
Lisa Murkowski
of Alaska, said they planned to vote against confirmation of Mr. Trump’s choice for education secretary,
Betsy DeVos.
The defections imperil Ms. DeVos’s confirmation prospects.